Local issues for Queensland Election 2015

[ozbob]

I have outlined the major campaign issues here > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11066.0

These are the major issues for the forthcoming campaign:

1. Failure to deliver proper bus network reform for Brisbane.

The State Government, BCC and by inference TransLink have failed the community on this.  It also is a factor in the fare system unaffordability.

2. Failure to deliver proper fare reform for SEQ.  A 5% cut, with fare costs frozen for 2015, is only a cut that had to happen as a consequence of the carbon tax repeal which was dressed up as a political stunt and will not do it.  Far from it.

3. CRR versus BaT.  We have shown conclusively that the bus component of the BaT is a massive waste. Proper network reform is all that is needed for the bus network.  BaT is a half baked project IMHO.

4. Stage 2 of the Gold Coast Light Rail (I expect this will be announced prior to or during the election campaign).

5. Track amplification of the Sunshine Coast Line north of Beerburrum.  Duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough North is the first priority, with some additional passing arrangements put in place between Landsborough North and Gympie North.

Are there local issues that YOU think are important?  For example, some extra shuttle train services between Gympie North < -> Nambour is an example [ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9032.0 ]

Please post them here.

One I would like raise is the start times of the 524 bus.  On Saturdays I would like see first service 6.02am (presently 8.02am), Sundays 7.02am (presently 9.02am).  Useless for many!

[dancingmongoose]

Many Gold Coast regions have no evening services. Lets take Hope Island for example. The 718 and 711 both cease at 5:30. Decent services IMO (without going into too much detail), one connects to heavy rail at Helensvale, the other to the light rail at Southport. But you're walking home if you rely on public transport and you have to work back a little late.

[James]

All the issues in Brisbane's west are effectively bus-related PT issues, which will be resolved by a proper bus network review. There are so many, but I'll list core ones:
- Lack of frequent route into the Centenary suburbs
- 411 running hourly on Sundays, and 425 hourly on weekends (half-hourly minimum required here).
- UQ - Indro buses running late, or just choosing not to turn up, especially in peak hour.

[pandmaster]

In my area the 590 and 598/599 (GCL) should really be merged between Toombul and Garden City via Skygate, Cannon Hill and Carindale to operate an improved frequency. (as part of proper bus reform). The GCL  needs to be broken up in general. The N310 every 1.25 hours is just confusing and difficult to use (try working that out when you are far from your best during a night out  ). Airport services should have their frequency improved but I suppose that is an issue for the private operator (15 minute frequency on the GC line as part of the duplication would help). It is pretty good around here otherwise, the only other thing I would ask is to extend Springfield services to Petrie as soon as the NGR arrives (even if MBRL is not open yet) as Caboolture line services can be quite crowded even in the off-peak so the demand is there.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th January 2015

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

Greetings,

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

RAIL Back on Track has developed a package of upgrades for the Ashgrove Electorate's local areas.

Brisbane Bus Reform: Even More Buses For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11127.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11072.0

RAIL Back on Track is proposing:

    BUZ 380 The Gap  - upgraded to high frequency and realigned to travel along Payne Rd

    BUZ 385 The Gap - realigned to travel along Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Rds

    911 UQ CityConnector - A frequent, direct bus service from Brookside Shopping Centre to UQ St Lucia formed from the existing Great Circle Line

    Upgraded weekend train services for the Ferny Grove Line


Our proposal is low cost and requires no new infrastructure, with the bus component able to be implemented within the first 100 days of office.
Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Sunshine Coast public transport top election issue

THE region's public transport system was rated the top election issue by fans of the Daily's Facebook page, although the honesty of politicians scored highly.

Eleni Karandrew suggested there should be more consultation between government and people who used public transport.

"Establish a public transport system that is efficient and affordable, especially for seniors, and easy to access," she said. "Scrap the current one and start from scratch in consultation with the people who use it."

Hazel Cash wanted to know why duplication of the railway north to Nambour had stalled, pointing out that a better train service to Brisbane meant fewer cars on the roads. "The railway from Nambour to Brisbane is a joke, so clogged with freight that passengers use buses in between railway stations," she wrote.

But Elvira Meridy White had a completely different idea, pushing the need for more cottage industries operating out of peoples' homes.

"Particularly along rural roads, so tourists are allowed to stop at the home and purchase," she said. "Since manufacturing has been squashed throughout Australia and cheap goods are allowed in, the talented crafter and artist can only afford to work from their home."

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets 11th January 2015

Winning the Marginal Electorate of Bulimba with Bus Reform!

RAIL Back on Track calls on Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk to support bus reform by announcing a BulimbaGlider bus service for the marginal electorate of Bulimba.

The ABC Election analyst Antony Green describes the Bulimba Electorate as Queensland's most marginal seat, "held with a 0.1% margin. This marginal seat includes the suburbs of Bulimba, Hawthorne, Balmoral, Morningside, Cannon Hill, Murarrie and parts of Carina and Camp Hill." Major party candidates contesting Bulimba, Aaron Dillaway (LNP) and Di Farmer (ALP), are promoting car parks at train stations. At around $40,000 each,  300 car parks x $40 000/car park = $12 million to fill 30% of just one QR train! That's not good value and its not going to be built anytime soon.

Voters in Bulimba Electorate want better and cheaper public transport. Give it to them!

Under RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane, a new Hi-Frequency 230 BulimbaGlider service would be introduced into the Bulimba Electorate.


http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/route230.png

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

The 230 BulimbaGlider would service:

    Morningside Rail Station
    Thynne Road
    Apollo Rd and Bulimba Ferry Terminals
    Oxford Street dining and cinema precinct
    Riding Road
    Wooloongabba Busway
    CBD via South East Busway and South Bank
    Roma Street


Our 230 BulimbaGlider would operate at high speed (800m stop spacing) and high frequency (every 15 minutes or better) all day and well into the night (6 am - 11.30 pm). As our proposal recycles existing bus resources, BulimbaGlider is therefore low cost and requires no new infrastructure; this means it can be implemented within the first 100 days of winning office.

The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all. We look forward to the response by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczcuk, and swift publication of transport policies on their respective websites.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


References:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/qld-election-2015/guide/key-seats/

Brisbane Bus Reform: BulimbaGlider - More Buses, More Often, for Bulimba Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11089.0

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th January 2015

QLD Election 2015: More Buses More Often For Ashgrove Announced

Greetings

The LNP has announced high frequency Maroon CityGliders are to be extended along Wardell St (Metroad 5) into Enoggera Station.

While this initiative is not exactly consistent with RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal, it does highlight the importance of public transport this election. The public are fed up with high cost fares and 'black hole' areas in Brisbane City Council's bus network. Political parties need to hear this message loud and clear.

RAIL Back on Track has published extensive bus reform proposals for this election, including for marginal electorates such as Bulimba and Brisbane Central electorates.

Any public transport policy that does not have bus contracting and bus network reform at its core is unlikely to generate the necessary funds to pay for upgrades required all across Brisbane.

We call on Annastacia Palaszczcuk and Kate Jones to outline their plans for improved buses within Ashgrove Electorate and other key electorates in Brisbane.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org




RAIL Back on Track's Proposals can be found here:
New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

In addition, contextual maps of our proposed routes in black hole areas and marginal seats
within Brisbane can be found here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0

[ozbob]

^

If nothing else helps build momentum to get PT there as an issue.  Clearly it is if the Premier feels the need to roll out the gold MaroonGlider upgrade ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th January 2015

Re: QLD Election 2015: More Buses More Often For Ashgrove Announced

Greetings,

Do you realise that this electioneering example of extending a bus route, without any specific regard of the network generally is why the bus network is in such a mess?

It is this sort of ' planning ' that has lead to the haphazard network we now have in Brisbane.

Do you realise that as a consequence of the 2013 bus review failure for Brisbane, all regions outside of Brisbane have had the changes proposed in 2013 (minus the changes where the intransigence of BCC stopped them) and have suffered cuts in terms of service spans and routes, so that the Brisbane bus network can be propped up?  This proposed extension of the Maroon Glider is another great example of selfish self interest trumping the needs of the majority of bus users in SEQ.  Hardly fair is it?

Have a great day.  On and off buses at lunch for the go rort?  Bizarre, sorting out the fare system should be real priority, not gold plating Ashgrove electorate buses?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

11th January 2015

QLD Election 2015: More Buses More Often For Ashgrove Announced

Greetings

The LNP has announced high frequency Maroon CityGliders are to be extended along Wardell St (Metroad 5) into Enoggera Station.

While this initiative is not exactly consistent with RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal, it does highlight the importance of public transport this election. The public are fed up with high cost fares and 'black hole' areas in Brisbane City Council's bus network. Political parties need to hear this message loud and clear.

RAIL Back on Track has published extensive bus reform proposals for this election, including for marginal electorates such as Bulimba and Brisbane Central electorates.

Any public transport policy that does not have bus contracting and bus network reform at its core is unlikely to generate the necessary funds to pay for upgrades required all across Brisbane.

We call on Annastacia Palaszczcuk and Kate Jones to outline their plans for improved buses within Ashgrove Electorate and other key electorates in Brisbane.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org




RAIL Back on Track's Proposals can be found here:
New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

In addition, contextual maps of our proposed routes in black hole areas and marginal seats
within Brisbane can be found here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0

[Stillwater]

It is the battle of the glossy brochure!

From today's Brisbane Times:

Mr Newman said every electorate would have its "own strong plan".  He launched his Ashgrove Plan to a small group of party faithful outside the youth club complete with glossy brochure, which he said every electorate could expect.  "Every electorate in Queensland will have a strong plan, just like Ashgrove," Mr Newman said.

"There is an overall plan for the state and there are other plans and policies for the economy and education and health etc, but every area will have its own strong plan.  I think it's exciting."

An LNP glossy brochure for each electorate is coming to a letterbox near you.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

SEQ suffers mediocrity, #Ashgrove gold plated .. > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11125.msg151268#msg151268 ... #qldvotes #qldpol proper reform needed!

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Coalition says it will fix Gold Coast's horror M1 interchange in $1B project

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily 12th January 2015 page 8

Buderim transport key issue

[Stillwater]

^^ Another profile for yet another SC electorate -- and, again, transport is the No.1 priority.  Even for the voters of Buderim, which is not on the SCL, rail duplication to Nambour is a major issue.  Time for both major political parties to reveal their bus/rail 'integrated transport plan' for the Sunshine Coast after years of promising voters that they are preparing a strategy for the Coast.  Somehow, it never eventuates.

[SurfRail]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Coalition says it will fix Gold Coast's horror M1 interchange in $1B project

Only around $74m for the interchange itself, which given the amount of material and work needed doesn't sound that far off.  The $1bn figure basically amounts to "unlocking" the Coomera Town Centre project so it can finally start happening.  One of the conditions precedent to that is upgrading the interchange.

Still nothing about public transport - not even an announcement of the rail duplication.

[#Metro]

Want rail? Make Sunshine Coast marginal!

[ozbob]

^

We must move away from this.  Projects must be on merit and not political or pork. I think this is something that has to happen if Australia is going to avoid a transport crisis of major proportions.

[#Metro]

We must move away from this.  Projects must be on merit and not political or pork. I think this is something that has to happen if Australia is going to avoid a transport crisis of major proportions.

How? The model where gov't is operated by selfless angels does not work. So long as politicians run in elections they will trade efficiency for votes. 9-then waste scheme and maroon wasteglider extensions are examples of this. All the politicians are actually smart with degrees etc, but the policies that pop out are dumb.

The only thing I can think of is remote and external administration - i.e. Sack the Gov't and put everything under an administrator. I do not advocate this but you can see this would not be appropriate for a democracy.

[ozbob]

We were halfway there with IA, but then it become Roads A.

I think the next iteration of Federal Governments will start to heed these lessons.  Victoria has been bit of a start booting EWLink ...  there is some hope in the longer term.  I simply will not say it is all too hard and accept the status quo.  Time to get proper rigour ... look at the BaT ... what a shambles .. lol

Exhibit A

Spoke to BAT engineer this morning who joked "It&#39;s easy to get $5bn for a project with a BCR of only 1.14 when the @theqldpremier wants it."

— DZ_AU (@DZ_AU) January 12, 2015

[Stillwater]

The premier may request, but does not have the final say, over the allocation of any federal funding for the BaT.  The federal Minister for Infrastructure must sign off on federal money and allocation -- usually on the basis of a business case and a positive benefit-cost analysis..

It would be helpful if, during the state election campaign, Mr Nicholls, Mr Emerson and Mr Newman were called upon to disclose what portion of the overall cost of the BaT they anticipate will be the federal contribution.  If it is none, how do they believe it will be financed -- what proportion state, what proportion council, what proportion private enterprise? 

What aspects of the project, and to what extent has it been redesigned to maximise a return to the state from non-transport components -- such as the sale of space above stations and portions of track?  Has this resulted in a compromise of the transport efficiency aspects of the BaT project?  How will the above-ground and blue sky aspects of the project be managed -- will tenders be called for sale of space for high-rise development over the corridor and around the Roma Street Station? 

Will the state disclose to the feds this windfall 'profit element' of the overall BaT project when seeking a federal government contribution for (presumably) the bus tunnel component.  The PM has said he will not fund suburban rail projects, leaving the bus bit as possibly qualifying for federal funding.

Has the bus tunnel component been added to the BaT project in order to keep the feds on the hook for possible funding?

Also, to what extent has the project scope and design resulted in a less than optimal transport outcome in order to extract the maximum return to government coffers of funds raised from commercial, retail and residential developments on surface land within the BaT corridor?  How much airspace above the BaT corridor will be sold off?

The state government has alluded to these private sector benefits from the project, therefore they form part of the project, but the only aspects of the project being disclosed in any detail is the tunnel proper.  Why?  Will the government explain so that the voters can make a valid assessment of the project in its totality -- transport components and non-transport components?

[ozbob]

Media release 13th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: 'FREE' bus upgrade for Seven Hills and Carina!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers calls on Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk to upgrade buses for Seven Hills and Carina residents.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"As part of RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane Seven Hills and Carina residents will get a bus upgrade. Our proposal for the 200 bus service recycles existing resources, can be achieved at virtually ZERO cost and requires no new infrastructure; this means it can be implemented within the first 100 days of winning office."

"The current BUZ 200 Carindale service duplicates the high frequency 222 Service from Coorparoo all along Old Cleveland Road to Carindale. Under bus reform, this duplication would go, giving high frequency bus service to more people in Seven Hills and Carina."


http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus200.jpg
Image Credit: Whistling Nixie

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

A new Hi 200 Carindale bus would service:

* Queen Street Bus Station
* SE Busway through to Wooloongabba
* Macrossan Avenue
* Stanley Road
* Meadowlands Road
* Carindale Interchange.

"Maps comparing the current Brisbane City Council bus network to our New Bus Network Proposal are available (see links). RAIL Back on Track has also published extensive bus reform proposals for this election, including for marginal electorates such as Bulimba and Brisbane Central."

"The existing 222 Carindale service via the Eastern Busway can also be upgraded to a bus every 10 minutes all day at virtually zero cost with this proposal. Over time, super-buses capable of carrying 150 passengers should be phased into this route. International precedents show that super-buses can be run on surface streets with no busway infrastructure at all (e.g. Stockholm Bus Lines 3, 4, Paris RoissyBus to Paris-CDG Airport)."

"These simple reforms to the BCC bus network will result in greatly improved bus service for residents of East Brisbane, Norman Park, Seven Hills, and parts of Camp Hill and Carina. CityGlider-style stop spacing means high speed for all passengers and strong additional patronage along this improved route."

"Any public transport policy that does not have bus contracting and bus network reform at its core is unlikely to generate the necessary funds to pay for upgrades required all across Brisbane. The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all."

"We look forward to the response by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk, and swift publication of detailed transport policies on their respective websites."

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

The Principles Of Bus Network Reform, Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus_reform.pdf

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

The contracting of urban bus services – Recent Australian developments
Ian P. Wallis and David J. Bray, Research in Transportation Economics
Volume 48, December 2014, Pages 48–61.
http://doi:10.1016/j.retrec.2014.09.031

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Workshops Rail Museum to upskill migrants for rail industry

THE Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich is set to be the site for a ramped up training program for skilled migrants to gain employment locally in the rail industry.

The State Government yesterday committed a further $37,500 to the rail masterclass migrant services program.

Rail Skills Australasia industry engagement manager Felicity Bubb said 25 migrants would start training in February at the workshops with a view to be working in the industry in south-east Queensland.

"They will be doing a range of different programs, focusing on anything from engineering to rail operations and rail infrastructure," she said.

"There is $16 billion worth of railway to be built in Queensland in the next three years so this provides a great opportunity for the growing needs of professional skills in Queensland.

"Bombardier, with their 30 year contract at Wulkuraka for the maintenance and construction of the 76 six-car rail wagons, have expressed an interest in a number of graduates from the migrant masterclass program."

Multicultural Affairs Minister Glen Elmes said the opportunities to work in rail were vast, not just locally at then new generation rolling stock depot in Wulkuraka, but also with the Moreton Bay Rail Link and Galilee basin Alpha Project.

"We have got some talented professional people who are coming to live in Australia from overseas and bringing those valuable skills with them," he said.

"So we are wanting to get them into projects like this....and get them to work in their preferred job."

Mr Elmes' father got his start at the Workshops Rail Museum so yesterday's announcement was a poignant one for him.

"In the time I have been the minister this is my third or fourth visit to the museum," he said.

"We started the (training) process last December with the grant I announced then, and we are extending it.

"To have people training in this building again and, as the minister, knowing my father got his start here as an apprentice tool maker many years ago is a really special thing for me."

Ipswich West MP Sean Choat said it was ideal to provide an opportunity for people trained in Ipswich to work here.

"I have a training and rail background, so it is fantastic to have people trained here," Mr Choat said.

"We do have a big influx of migrant people into the community. How great is it if they can get a qualification because I am confident we have a positive history ahead of us in rail with what is happening at Wulkuraka.

"Aurizon was doing work for QR but they have sold their facility, but I'd like to see us doing the current generation of QR trains at Karrabin and also have the new generation stock at Wulkuraka."

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Neuendorf calls for an extension of rail line to Withcott

THE need for an electric passenger rail line to service the region west of Rosewood is a major issue that Lockyer candidate David Neuendorf is pushing hard.

The Katter's Australian Party representative said he was "a strong supporter of an electric rail line as far as Withcott and I think that is something that needs to be looked at urgently".

Decades ago there was a passenger service that went west to Toowoomba.

Coal trains do use the western rail line, but the electrified passenger rail line currently terminates at Rosewood.

Mr Neuendorf said a continuation of the electric line west should service areas such as Laidley, Gatton, Forest Hill, Helidon and Withcott.

"The electric rail goes north and south of Brisbane. I know there are populations there but we've got a population out here as well," Mr Neuendorf said.

"The biggest cost for electric rail, and why it hasn't been done, is because they want to take it up the Toowoomba range.

"But I don't believe it needs to go up the Toowoomba range.

"I believe it needs to finish at Withcott which is right on the doorstep of Toowoomba.

"There will be a big opportunity for people to catch it from Toowoomba and all the way through the Lockyer Valley to go to Brisbane, even if it is one or two services a day.

"There have been investigations done with the suggested rail corridors.

"I know in the past we have had a flooding issue at Forest Hill and Laidley, but maybe the railway line could be realigned."

Mr Neuendorf spent 12 years on Lockyer council and ran in the 2012 state election campaign.

He is a primary producer just outside of Helidon. Several years ago he started an aquaculture business where he grows fish, namely barramundi, Murray cod and Jade perch.

"I did lucerne farming most of my life...and I wanted to venture out and do something different," Mr Neuendorf said.

"We are growing table grade fish for live markets, mainly up to a kilo size.

"I know what the rural issues and the local issues are and what the community needs."

The married father of five said hospital services were poor in the Lockyer.

"We need bigger and better hospitals in the Lockyer Valley.

"We've got two small hospitals at Gatton and Laidley and you can't have a baby there.

"We have got the baby boomers coming on and we are going to need greater health services.

"Fifty years ago the population of Toowoomba was not much more than the population of our catchment now and we have got two piddling hospitals, where 50 years ago Toowoomba had three hospitals.

"We need to be encouraged to use our local hospitals instead of going somewhere else like Ipswich or Toowoomba."

[#Metro]

Buses

http://www.greyhound.com.au/Clients/GREYHOUNDNEW/Documents/Timetables/Toowoomba-Brisbane.pdf
http://www.greyhound.com.au/Clients/GREYHOUNDNEW/Documents/Timetables/Brisbane-Toowoomba.pdf

The bus timetable is not quite a service every hour, but any gap could be filled by a subsidy to have those gaps filled by Toowoomba
Regional Council, and that would come at a very modest cost, far less than electric passenger services.

Fastest services between BNE - TWBA are around 1hr 45 min. Compare this with Ipswich Express trains - the fastest most express trains such as the 4:18 super express to Rosewood ex Roma St, leaves Roma St at 4:18 PM and arrives at Ipswich at 5:06 PM, 48 minutes later. In contrast, the bus, departing at 4:00PM Roma St is at Ipswich at 4:50 PM, and in Toowoomba at 6:10 PM

The express train is barely faster, and with no DOO is also consuming 2x labour costs. In off peak it would be even slower.

Rail is very expensive to operate that far, and particularly so with 2 staff per train whereas a bus only has 1 driver. If trains were able to get up the range into Toowoomba, the equation may change. Buying more trains is also hugely expensive (15-30 million each?) whereas a bus is very modest cost ($1-2 million ballpark).

Timetable http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/140120-ipswich.pdf

[ozbob]

ViewNews --> Sunshine Coast sets out priorities to candidates

[Gazza]

Even if you wanted to do a service to the Lockyer Valley it would surely just be a DMU?

[ozbob]

Even if you wanted to do a service to the Lockyer Valley it would surely just be a DMU?

Yes, for sure.

[SurfRail]

Without realignment between Grandchester and Laidley there is absolutely no point in extending anything beyond Rosewood, electric or not.

The only stations should be at Laidley and Gatton - run express from Rosewood to Ipswich with the electrics continuing the Rosewood all stations service. 

If you put "halts" at every little hamlet on the route, which are generally smaller than the ones on the Rosewood line, you are back to being slower than a Greyhound.

Paying for all those stations would pay for a lot of feeder bus services and keep the train competitive.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich cycling crushed by LNP

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> LNP pledge $50m to upgrade Old Cleveland Rd, Labor calls for investment in bus services

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th January 2015

Bulimba Electorate: Di Farmer and Aaron Dillaway - Do You Support Bus Reforms or Not?

Bulimba is the most marginal electorate in Queensland for this election.



Image: The BulimbaGlider route, funded by bus reforms. http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/route230.png

Over the past week we have seen a bus scare campaign. The bottom line is that under Brisbane City Council's 2013 bus review, proposed bus service upgrades to the Bulimba Electorate were cancelled. Why? Brisbane City Council insisted on running every bus to the Brisbane CBD, and thus no funds were left over to upgrade bus services in Bulimba, Yeronga, the entire Centenary Suburbs and Albany Creek. This is a mathematically inevitable outcome of that policy choice.

In addition, fares were then increased by 7.5%!

Bulimba Electorate voters should be very careful of supporting scare campaigns that claim to be 'saving' their buses. They may be unwittingly signing away bus service upgrades for their own area, and signing on to fare increases, possibly up to 20%!

How do we know this?

Firstly, Brisbane City Council publicly rejected RAIL Back on Track's the BulimbaGlider Bus Upgrade concept in 2012.

Secondly, Brisbane City Council cancelled proposed bus upgrades to Bulimba in 2013 (TransLink Bus Review).

Thirdly, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on public record saying that he would 'NEVER EVER' support bus reforms, and is anti-connections.

Fourthly, Brisbane Transport was directed to block meetings with TransLink planners on Six occasions.

Fifthly, our own research shows Brisbane City Council's bus network planning is contributing to higher costs, and thus higher fares.

Sixthly, it was revealed on ABC Radio that the Lord Mayor had asked for more than the 4% funding provision, possibly up to 21% more. If passed on to passengers, this means higher fares. Fares increased 20% in 2010 for go card, 40% for paper tickets setting a precedent.

Far from 'cuts, cuts, cuts' - bus network reform is absolutely essential for giving Brisbane the best bus network in Australia. Failure to complete network reforms means no new high frequency bus services, escalating fares, and retention of bus service 'Black Holes', which includes Bulimba. The bus network reforms that have been refused by Brisbane City Council have been accepted in Brisbane's sister city - Auckland, New Zealand, and now Christchurch and Wellington.

As a high-density inner city area with popular restaurants and cinema, the voters of Bulimba Electorate deserve a BulimbaGlider bus upgrade. Under bus reform, this upgrade would be entirely affordable, funded by recycling existing waste and inefficiency in the bus network.

Di Farmer and Aaron Dillaway, do you support bus reforms or not? Come out and say whether you support the bus reforms that will give Bulimba Electorate hi-frequency BulimbaGlider services, every 15 minutes all day or better, with 24-hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights; the same BulimbaGlider that Brisbane City Council rejected to the Bulimba area.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Calls for Bulimba glider rejected
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

18 Jan 2015: Queensland Election: Public Transport Privatisation: Fact Check
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11214.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: BulimbaGlider - More Buses, More Often, for Bulimba Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11089.0

QLD Election 2015: Will the punters be hit with 20% plus fare increases after the show?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11195.0

[ozbob]

Redcliffe Herald 28th Jan 2015

[dancingmongoose]

$160 for 2 kids is $80 each across 5 days is $16 a day which is $8 per trip. So either they are using some private bus company or they are travelling at least 13 zones to get to school.

[red dragin]

Redcliffe to Brisbane ferry